Examining the patterns of business development in backward economies, this book demonstrates, the rate and character of business development in Brazil were to a large extent determined by its degree of backwardness, intellectual climate and natural potentialities, and accordingly the course of development of the Brazilian economy differed considerably from processes observed in more advanced countries. In addition, comparison between Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro shows important differences among the three most important economies in Brazil.

SÉRGIO DE OLIVEIRA BIRCHAL is Lecturer in Economics and Business at the Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. He is Internal Consultant of Corporate Development at Telemig (The Telecommunications Company of Minas Gerais).

List of Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations XIXth-Century Brazilian and Mineiro Economic History The Entrepreneur The Mineiro Firm Technology Conclusion Bibliography Index